Mustelus californicus Gill, 1864
Gray smoothhound
Mustelus californicus
photo by Shelton, J.

Family:  Triakidae (Houndsharks), subfamily: Triakinae
Max. size:  116 cm TL (male/unsexed); 124 cm TL (female); max. reported age: 9 years
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 0 - 200 m
Distribution:  Eastern Pacific: northern California, USA to the Gulf of California. At the southern part of its range, this species is sympatric with Mustelus lunulatus, but the two are readily distinguishable.
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  A common inshore and offshore shark found on the continental shelves, and entering shallow muddy bays. Feeds mostly on crabs, including cancrids and grapsids, ghost shrimp, innkeeper (echiuroid) worms (Urechis), and small fish (herring and midshipmen, Porichthys). Viviparous (with a yolk-sac placenta), with 2 to 5 young in a litter. Utilized for human consumption.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 19 March 2014 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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